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I have provided the answers to some common questions asked of Andrew Nyce Designs.
If you have any other questions or comments, please feel free to contact me either by email (acnyce@maine.rr.com), phone (1-866-666-5010, toll-free in the US), or via the Quick Quote forms on every Collections page. |
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Do you sell through galleries?
Yes, Andrew Nyce Designs sells its Mokume Gane and Damascus Stainless Steel rings through both galleries and jewelry stores across the United States. Select this link to view a list of galleries and jewelry stores carrying my work.
What is your typical turnaround time?
Turnaround time for a handcrafted ring from Andrew Nyce Designs is 3 weeks to 6 weeks from the date the order is placed.
What is the best way to place an order?
After reviewing the rings offered on the Andrew Nyce Designs website, the best way to place an order is either to fill out a Quick Quote form or to call me directly at 1-866-666-5010. At the bottom of each web page showing a specific Andrew Nyce Designs ring, there is a Quick Quote order form. Fill out the form and submit it. I will provide you with a quote within one business day of receiving your Quick Quote request. Alternatively, you can call me directly for a real-time quote and a discussion of the ring design you are interested in having me make. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
What is a Quick Quote?
Quick Quotes are used for obtaining price quotes on any rings from the Andrew Nyce Designs Collections shown on this website. Quick Quotes are specific to a ring ID. You are required to provide contact information as well as basic ring information that has the most impact on pricing: ring size, ring width. In addition, you do have the ability to customize the ring by selecting options such as patterns and materials. I will use my expertise to provide recommendations for other ring features (ring thickness, Comfort Fit). The forms are located beneath the ring descriptions on each and every Collections web page showing an individual Andrew Nyce Designs ring. Once you fill out the form and submit it, I will provide you with a price quote within one business day of receiving your Quick Quote request.
What is a Custom Quote?
Custom Quotes are used for obtaining price quotes on a custom-designed ring. (i.e., a ring that is not shown on the Andrew Nyce Designs website or a ring you would want to build yourself and choose all ring features (including ring thickness, Comfort Fit). You are required to provide information on all aspects of the ring you want. I am more than happy to work with you on designing the ring that is right for you. I would highly recommend that you read the web pages on Designing Your Ring for either Mokume Gane or Damascus Stainless Steel. The forms are located at various places on the website and specifically state Custom-Designed Ring Quote. The forms also are located at the very bottom of each and every Collections web page. Once you fill out the form and submit it, I will provide you with a price quote within one business day of receiving your Custom Quote request.
What are our payment options?
Andrew Nyce Designs accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Personal checks also are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Upon placing an order with Andrew Nyce Designs, 50% of the total purchase price is due; 50% is due prior to shipping the order.
Do you ship international and how much will I pay for customs?
Yes, Andrew Nyce Designs ships to most countries around the world. We charge for shipping and insurance for international orders. The exact amount depends upon the value of the ring(s). Contact your local customs office for exact customs tax and duties applicable to your purchase.
Do you supply sample rings to prospective clients?
Yes, but we require that the prospective client pays for shipping and insurance both ways as well as provides a credit card number and its expiration date.
Do you sell diamonds and other precious stones?
Yes, Andrew Nyce Designs sells diamonds and other precious stones, such as sapphires and emeralds. I can assist you in selecting the diamond or other precious stone that is right for both your ring and your budget. I offer very competitive prices. The primary supplier of my diamonds and precious stones is Stuller (www.stuller.com); all diamonds come with certifications.
How do I determine my ring size?
When you order a ring from Andrew Nyce Designs, we will send you a set of calibrated ring finger gauges. Depending upon whether you purchased a wide or narrow ring, you will be sent either a narrow and a wide ring gauge along with instructions on how to obtain your ring size accurately.
Can I have my ring engraved?
Yes. I provide a quote for the engraving along with the quote for the ring. |
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What is an Adorned Collection ring?
The Adorned Collection is a Mokume Gane or Damascus Stainless Steel band adorned with either an inner liner or edges, but not both. The inner liner and edges are Gold, Platinum-enhanced Sterling Silver, Platinum, or Palladium. The edges can be either squared or rounded.
What is an Embraced Collection ring?
The Embraced Collection is a Mokume Gane or Damascus Stainless Steel band which is inlaid into a Gold, Platinum-enhanced Sterling Silver, Platinum, Palladium, or Stainless Steel channel. A channel is a single, solid structure comprised of a both a liner and two edge elements. The channel is created by casting, machining, or fabricating processes.
What is a Tiered Collection ring?
The Tiered Collections consists of an inner liner of Gold, Platinum-enhanced Sterling Silver, Platinum, Palladium, which extends beyond the Mokume Gane or Damascus Stainless Steel band. Additionally, edges of Gold, Platinum-enhanced Sterling Silver, Platinum, Palladium are fitted over the inner liner. The edges can either be at same level as the band, or raised above it, and either squared or rounded.
What is a Comfort Fit? And how many variations are there?
A Comfort Fit refers to the profile of the inside of your ring. I offer four inner ring profiles. One profile has no Comfort Fit, it essentially has a flat inner ring profile. The other three profiles provide variations of the Comfort Fit: Full, Medium, and Slightly Rounded. The radius of the profile determines the degree of the Comfort Fit. A Full Comfort Fit profile provides the most rounding while Slightly Rounded provides a gradual rounding of the inside of the ring. Medium Comfort Fit is used primarily for very wide ring bands.
What is a half round ring profile?
A ring profile refers to the curvature of the top of the ring. In a true half round, the profile, or radius, of the top of the ring equals half the width of the ring. However, this guideline has limitations. For example, a 6mm wide half round ring would have a thickness of 3mm, which would be very uncomfortable. In general, I make domed ring profiles, which have a gentle radius of curvature consistent with the overall proportions of the ring.
What are the widest edges possible for one of your rings?
From a design standpoint, the widest edge width is between 2mm and 3mm. I prefer to match the edge width proportionally to the overall width of the ring.
Why would I want a liner?
The Adorned and Tiered Collection of rings from Andrew Nyce Designs can have liners. Liners are most often an aesthetic choice; they are not needed for durability or comfort. Liners can be made in any color palette, either from Gold, Platinum, Platinum-enhanced Sterling Silver, or Stainless Steel. People with very sensitive skin may react to Sterling Silver or the nickel in 14K White Gold. If you have this type of sensitivity, you may want to select either Platinum or 14K or 18K Gold alloy liners for your ring; these do not contain nickel.
Can your rings be sized by a local jeweler?
Yes, in most cases. However, I prefer to do the sizing. |
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How deep is the Mokume Gane pattern?
The basic pattern, created by twisting the bar of Mokume Gane, goes all the way through the thickness of the ring.
Do you make your own Mokume Gane materials?
Yes, I purchase Mokume Gane alloy combinations (color palettes) in the form of sheets. The sheets bond under very high pressure and temperatures in a special assembly which I call a TEMTP system. After bonding, I hot forge, roll and selectively remove material in order to create Mokume Gane patterns. Select this link to learn more about the Mokume Gane Process.
Do you offer Mokume Gane bands with a random or star pattern?
Andrew Nyce Designs does offer Mokume Gane bands with a random pattern; this pattern is offered on our Contour rings. At present, the star pattern is only offered on a custom basis.
Do you make custom Mokume Gane patterns or color combinations?
Yes, I make custom Mokume Gane billets and create custom patterns.
What metal alloys are used in your Mokume Gane rings?
My Mokume Gane rings contain combinations of 950 Platinum, 950 Palladium, 18K Royal Yellow Gold, 14K Red Gold, 14K Palladium White Gold, and Platinum-enhanced Sterling Silver. Custom Mokume Gane billets can contain almost any combination of alloys that are available in the form of sheets.
What is the gold content of your Mokume Gane rings?
In the two-color Mokume Gane rings, the gold alloy is ~55% by volume of the ring. In the three-color Mokume Gane rings containing Platinum-enhanced sterling silver, the gold alloys are ~66% by volume. And finally, in the four-color Mokume Gane rings containing sterling silver, the gold alloys are ~88% by volume.
What is Platinum-enhanced Sterling Silver?
Platinum-enhanced Sterling Silver is a patented new alloy containing 3.5% Platinum, 92.5% Silver, along with an additional 4% of Copper and some other minor elements. This alloy was developed specifically as a tarnish-resistant alloy with a higher melting point and a greater hardness than traditional Sterling Silver, which contains 7.5% Copper and 92.5% Silver.
How durable and wear-resistant are Mokume Gane rings?
Mokume Gane rings are as durable as the individual alloys used to make the Mokume Gane. I significantly increase the wear resistance of my Mokume Gane rings by tumbling them in stainless steel shot . All rings eventually get scratches - some of which can be removed using the ring care kit provided.
What are the historical origins of Mokume Gane?
Select this link to learn more about the historical aspects of Mokume Gane. |
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What is Damascus Stainless Steel?
Centuries ago, an ancient pattern-welding technique was used to make Damascus swords. The technique involved folding and hot forging hundreds of layers of two distinct kinds of steel. The Damascus Stainless Steel used in Andrew Nyce Designs rings is a variation of that ancient technique. This newer technique involves hot pressing and forging tiny stainless steel particles into a solid forged body containing layers of two different kinds of stainless steel.
Will my Damascus Stainless Steel ring rust?
The short answer is no. For all Damascus Stainless Steel patterns we use a combination of 304L and 316L Stainless Steel, which contains alloying elements that protect them from rusting. However as a precaution, we recommend that Damascus Stainless Steel rings not be worn when swimming or in a hot tub.
Is the nickel in the stainless steel a problem for people with skin allergies to nickel?
No. According to standardized tests run on stainless steel, the nickel does not leach out and therefore is not a problem.
What are the historical origins of Damascus?
Select this link to learn about the historical aspects of Damascus Stainless Steel.
What is a Black Oxide coating?
Andrew Nyce Designs uses Black Oxide on our JET Damascus Stainless Steel rings. A Black Oxide coating is a tightly adhered, durable oxide coating that lends a black appearance to the etched Damascus pattern.
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Will my Mokume Gane ring get scratches?
Yes. In normal use your ring eventually will show scratches. The Mokume Gane alloys making up the ring are hardened by tumbling with stainless steel shot . However, precious metal alloys inherently are not scratch-resistant.
Will my Damascus Stainless Steel ring get scratches?
Yes. In normal use your ring will eventually show scratches. The Stainless Steel used in Damascus Stainless Steel rings by Andrew Nyce Designs is significantly more scratch-resistant than the precious metal alloys used in Mokume Gane rings.
Under what circumstances should I remove my ring?
In order to maintain a relatively scratch-free surface, you should remove the ring in any circumstance where the ring will be in contact with gravel, metal tools, exercise equipment etc. Additionally, remove rings containing Sterling Silver if you are in contact with chlorine (laundry bleach, pool, hot tub). Bleach will darken Sterling Silver.
How do I care for my Mokume Gane ring?
Saturate either a fine or medium scotch brite pad with liquid soap and gently stroke the ring along its circumference under a slow stream of running water. Keep the pad saturated with soap so that you are constantly providing lubricant while you are gently abrading the ring. This will result in the restoration of the ring's matte finish. Select this link to learn more about caring for your Mokume Gane ring.
How do I care for my Damascus Stainless Steel ring?
Stainless steel does not stain, corrode or rust as easily as ordinary steel. I use austenitic Damascus Stainless Steel in my rings. Austenitic stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and, therefore, does not require special handling or treatment. Select this link to learn more about caring for your Damascus Stainless Steel ring. |
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What are the critical factors in selecting a diamond?
The critical factors in selecting a diamond are commonly referred to as the Four Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Cut and proportioning determine to a large extent the brilliance or light reflecting properties of the diamond. Colors range form E to Z and clarity from internally flawless (IF) to imperfect (I). Carat of course refers to the weight of the diamond. From a practical standpoint, diamonds are graded by cut, symmetry, and polish; all three of which embody the brilliance of the diamond. Select this link to learn more about Diamonds.
Can I have my local jeweler set the stone?
I prefer to have the stone set so that I can guarantee the overall ring. Andrew Nyce Designs works with a master stone setter who laser welds the settings to the ring as well as sets the stone.
Can I provide my own diamond or other gemstone?
Yes, you can provide your own stone, or I can source one for you. |
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Can I visit your studio?
The Andrew Nyce Designs studio is located a few miles outside of Portland, Maine. All customers are welcome to visit and tour my studio. Please call toll free at 1-866-666-5010 to set up an appointment. |
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